Device and Method for Locating a Barcode Using Image Analysis

Abstract

A device comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores an image. The image includes a plurality of areas. The image is captured using at least one of an auto-exposure technology and an auto-focus technology. The processor is coupled to the memory and selects at least one of the plurality of areas as a function of predetermined data. The data is related to the at least one of the auto-exposure technology and the auto-focus technology. The processor locates a symbol in the at least one selected areas.

1 . A device, comprising:
 a memory storing an image, the image including a plurality of areas, the image captured using at least one of an auto-exposure technology and an auto-focus technology; and   a processor coupled to the memory and selecting at least one of the plurality of areas as a function of predetermined data, the data being related to the at least one of the auto-exposure technology and the auto-focus technology, the processor locating a symbol in the at least one selected areas.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the symbol is one of a barcode and an optical character recognition string. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein, when the barcode is one of a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional barcode, the image is a monochromatic image. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein, when the barcode is one of a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional barcode, the contrast edges includes a change from a black area to a white area of one of the one-dimensional barcode and the two-dimensional barcode. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein, when the barcode is a color barcode, the image is a color image. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein, when the barcode is a color barcode, the contrast edges includes a change from a first color to a second color adjacent to the first color of the color barcode. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a data acquisition module capturing the image.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the selected ones of the plurality of areas are ranked in a list, the list indicating an order for the processor to locate the symbol in the selected ones as a function of the contrast edges. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the image is of a first side of a packaging box. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein at least one further image is captured, the processor locating a further symbol on the at least one further image, the at least one further image being of at least a second side of the packaging box. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 acquiring an image using at least one of an auto-exposure technology and an auto-focus technology, the image including a plurality of areas;   selecting at least one of the plurality of areas as a function of data relating to the at least one of the auto-exposure technology and the auto-focus technology; and   locating a symbol within the at least one selected areas.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the symbol is one of a barcode and an optical character recognition string. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein, when the barcode is one of a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional barcode, the image is a monochromatic image. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein, when the barcode is one of a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional barcode, the contrast edges includes a change from a black area to a white area of one of the one-dimensional barcode and the two-dimensional barcode. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein, when the barcode is a color barcode, the image is a color image. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein, when the barcode is a color barcode, the contrast edges includes a change from a first color to a second color adjacent to the first color of the color barcode. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the image is acquired using a data acquisition device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 ranking the selected ones of the plurality of areas in a list, the list indicating an order to locate the symbol in the selected ones as a function of the contrast edges.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the image is of a first side of a packaging box. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 capturing at least one further image to locate a further symbol on the at least one further image, the at least one further image being of at least a second side of the packaging box.   
     
     
         21 . A device, comprising:
 a storage means for storing an image, the image including a plurality of areas, the image being captured using at least one of an auto-exposure technology and an auto-focus technology; and   a processing means coupled to the storage means for selecting at least one of the plurality of areas as a function of predetermined data, the data being related to the at least one of the auto-exposure technology and the auto-focus technology, the processing means locating a symbol in the at least one selected areas.   
     
     
         22 . A computer readable storage medium including a set of instructions executable by a processor, the set of instructions operable to:
 acquire an image using at least one of an auto-exposure technology and an auto-focus technology, the image including a plurality of areas;   select at least one of the plurality of areas as a function of data relating to the at least one of the auto-exposure technology and the auto-focus technology; and   locate a symbol within the at least one selected areas.